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Dear Zachary: A Letter to a Son About His Father

Play trailer Poster for Dear Zachary: A Letter to a Son About His Father 2008 1h 35m Documentary Play Trailer Watchlist
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94% Tomatometer 51 Reviews 96% Popcornmeter 5,000+ Ratings
In 2001, 28-year-old Dr. Andrew Bagby is found dead in a park in Pennsylvania. He had been shot by his ex-girlfriend, who then fled to Canada, where she was able to walk free on bail, pregnant with Andrew's child. Andrew's enraged parents campaign to gain custody of the child and convict their son's killer. Filmmaker Kurt Kuenne pairs this story with home movies and interviews with those who knew Andrew, hoping to give his best friend's son an opportunity to discover who his dad was.
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Dear Zachary: A Letter to a Son About His Father

Dear Zachary: A Letter to a Son About His Father

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Critics Consensus

Dear Zachary is a both a touching tribute to a fallen friend and a heart-wrenching account of justice gone astray, skillfully put to film with no emotion spared.

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Critics Reviews

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Rob Humanick Slant Magazine 02/26/2009
3.5/4
The most ambitious work of its kind. Go to Full Review Hank Sartin Time Out 11/25/2008
5/5
Just take our advice and bring tissues. You're going to need them. Go to Full Review Stanley Kauffmann The New Republic 11/20/2008
A slick account of ancient crevices in the human psyche rendered in cutting-edge cinematic style. Go to Full Review Mattie Lucas From the Front Row 07/07/2019
4/4
You can almost feel the love radiating out of every frame, from a father to a son who never met, but who will touch millions in ways they never thought possible. Go to Full Review C.J. Prince Way Too Indie 06/20/2019
It's one of the few films guaranteed to turn its viewers into a sobbing mess by the end, and the raw power of its story is why it still has a lasting impact with people today. Go to Full Review David Nusair Reel Film Reviews 11/27/2015
3/4
An uneven yet frequently heartbreaking documentary... Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Steven F. @SteveGotScored 4d One of the most emotional documentaries ever made! See more Jessie D. @JDo2015 Feb 11 Talk about justice. Yes, the family may have not got full justice, but they fought to fix flaws in the justice system. I’ve been through two very traumatic events as a child. That I never told anyone about til I was older. In middle school I was attacked by a mentally ill boy. When I went to Albuquerque Public Scools to report it, their police officer said they have nothing to do with it since it was not on school grounds. I ended up telling even more of the truth later in my life on a review of the middle school I had attended, when I had realized the middle school had let a special ed student who had hurt me, on the regular bus. I’ve been ridiculed about this attack by peers, that it was my fault. Long story short, what these peers didn’t know was that I had already been hurt sexually by a girl at my babysitters house when I was five years old. Justice may never be served for the hurt I’ve been through, but God knows I’ve said what I had to say. And I am in my final science classes in pre medical, to become a dr and serve the community by fixing people. And also point out flaws in the justice system. See more Michelle F @Mishka81 Dec 30 Just finished this documentary and I’m speechless. Devastating story directed in a very unique way. Saddest story I think I’ve ever seen See more LUMAYAG_NEATZCHE_A. T @Neatzche Dec 18 My first review here on rotten tomatoes. This documentary is so good and couldn’t stop myself crying. What happened is gut-wrenching and heartbreaking, yet this documentary is so full of love — genuine joy despite it all. This is so good and I cried really hard. See more Rebecca S. @Becca01 Nov 24 One of the most emotionally impactful and unforgettable documentaries ever made. The film takes an unexpected and increasingly intense turn that will absolutely captivate your attention and leave you speechless See more Madison G @GMO.jpg Nov 4 devastating. you have to be in an okay headspace before you start this See more Read all reviews
Dear Zachary: A Letter to a Son About His Father

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Cast & Crew

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Kurt Kuenne

Director

Kurt Kuenne

Narrator

Kurt Kuenne

Writer

Kurt Kuenne

Producer

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Dear Zachary: A Letter to a Son About His Father

Dear Zachary: A Letter to a Son About His Father (2008) Dear Zachary: A Letter to a Son About His Father (2008) Filmmaker Kurt Kuenne (left) and Dr. Andrew Bagby (right) in April 1981in a still from "Dear Zachary: A Letter to a Son About His Father." Dear Zachary: A Letter to a Son About His Father (2008) View more photos

Movie Info

Synopsis In 2001, 28-year-old Dr. Andrew Bagby is found dead in a park in Pennsylvania. He had been shot by his ex-girlfriend, who then fled to Canada, where she was able to walk free on bail, pregnant with Andrew's child. Andrew's enraged parents campaign to gain custody of the child and convict their son's killer. Filmmaker Kurt Kuenne pairs this story with home movies and interviews with those who knew Andrew, hoping to give his best friend's son an opportunity to discover who his dad was.
Director
Kurt Kuenne
Producer
Kurt Kuenne
Screenwriter
Kurt Kuenne
Production Co
MSNBC Network
Genre
Documentary
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Oct 31, 2008, Limited
Release Date (Streaming)
Jun 24, 2016
Runtime
1h 35m
Sound Mix
Dolby Digital
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